Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-03-14
THE TOBOGGAN QUEEN.

/
Ella Bovnton, who had been chosen queen o
the icy revels and dazzled all eyes with hel
beauty and won all hearts with her dash anc
/ grace.
She was watching merry party crowt
upon one of the large OK Sic Is of the country
and involuntarily trembled as she saw it lasl
down the icy hill amid reckless laughter, loud
voiced songs and little screams Of fear.
YES" was answered by one she had meshepi
in her charms, 1t would require very little tC
turn the sled aside and send it crashing down
among the trees or over the high rocks"
And then with "a shudder "hroken limbs
and loss of life would I've the inevitable re-
sult:"
Certainly; hut skillfully guided there is
less danger than You imagine, and very sci,
dom has an accident occurpd
Il never had one of any kind. For three
years my pretty toboggau and have shot
down many a dizzy height, and should any
thing happen it would not involve numbers,
but myself alone"
alone" he questioned with his flushed
cheeks and flashing eyes revealing the long
inss of his heart
Her quick woman's wit read his secret more
clearly than ever before, but she was too much
Of coquet;e to easily give up her maiden
liberty. 1t would require some strong con
vulsion of her heart To cause ii To freely give
m return the love she knew was hers and of
which she was proud But permitting no
time for further expression Of his feelings she
dropped gracefully upon her sliding craft
and was whiTled out of sight.
The slide ut Hillside was equal to any in
the country. Starting from the top Of a
mountain it wound downward for more than
a mile, with a broad lake stretching away al
the bottom Every irregularity had been
filled, iced over, planed down, and for the en-
ure length the surface resembled polished
glass. Encroaching trees had been removed.
brilliantly colored Chinese lanterns hung sus-
pended fromthe branches, and flambeaux of
pitchy knots and resinous bark flashed strong
and ruddy light. The rustic cottages on the
crest os the mountain gave ample shelter and
refreshment, and the sleds were drawn up by
spirited horses or patiently ploiding cattle.
The means of descending the icy slope We're
Of primitive construction. The craze had
penetrated the mountain regions without
bringing the fashionable toboeganer, with the
single exception of the queen-a visitor from
a more favored locality
And well Ella Boynton merited the title be
slowed upoa her. She was tall, 1.-THE, yet
stately, red Tipped and red checked, with the
blackest possible of hair and eyes was dressed
with picturesque taste and richness that sur
passed all others The combination of crimson
plush ami fur set of her well developed figure
10 the best advantage; the little cap was worn
jauntily; tie tiny silver bells that fringed the
short skirt and jacket made music with every
movement.
Her lover made no effort to follow, but
waited her return Flushed with exercise and
with eyes dancing in the most happy of moods,
before, and with difficulty he restrained his
ardent lips from the avowal of what was fast
becoming an all consuming passion. But she
skillfully avoided giving him an opportunity.
As the hours grew later the fun became
more fast and furious Formalities were
abolished, the huge sleis more crowded, the
laughter and song more hearty, and when
girlish forms trembled from the almost
breathless swiftness Of the descent manly
arms were ready to support and, if need be,
protect But the queen continued to course
alone, notwithstanding the entreaties of her
lover to be permitted to accompany her.
If l were a man" she laughed Il would
be the very last to beg for what had right
TO demand, and springing tantaIizingly upon
her toboggan she cut short the conversation
He understood the challenge, flung himself
upon a sled and followed. hoping to overtake
her. Archly looking back she beckoned him
on, and seemingly enjoyed distancing and
him. Then, as if pitying, she
permitted him to sit oy her side on the slow,
upward journey, and became more graciously
tender than ever before.
The sport will soon end, he said, glancins
at his watch as they neared the top of the
mountain.
What timer she questioned hastily, and
rs if to bar the words she feared he might
utter.
"Within quarter Of an hour of midnight
lnd--
"The very next slide must be the last"
Sand will you not permit me to ride with
7ou and guide your toboggan, as l would
fourn-
He would have said "your way through
ife" She intuitively knew what the ending
If his softly whispered words would have
,een- Springing lightly from the sled, she
exclaimed:
Here We are at the top"
~Wil you not gor he asked Of the queen,
As she stood with one dainty foot tapping upon
ler toboggan-
Il must be the last she replied, must see
The last of my subjects depart"
And as prime minister will remain and
guard you from danger"
Which cannot possibly arise
1T is to he hoped not, but to assure myself
IF your safety | must be ever by your side
See., He sent his own sled unoccupied down
he mountain side ana continued: "Now the
queen must take pity on her most humble
subject and give him place upon her tobog-
yan or leave him to remain and probably
reeze TO death in endeavoring TO get home"
The beautiful face flushed Yet more rosily
Is she comprehendei the full meaning Of his
words, and her black eyes flashed With a
otter, if brighter, light But, as still guard
ng any confession they might treacherously
make, she turned away and took an unwonted
interest in the giddy scene.
From group to group she fitted, gave the
word for starting one after another of the
great sleds, and at last stood alone upon the
crest of the mountain-she and her lover.
BE saw his opportunity and was not slow to
it
my tobogganr she questioned, after look
ing anxiously around and failing to find it
.Safe," he laughed, with q slight ring Of
triumph in his voice.
"You do not meanlthat you
Il mean that as g man / intend to be the
very last TO beg for what have right to
lemand.n he answered, almost quoting her
own words.
at is taking an unfair advantage she
pouted, but so prettily as to even more charm
aim But l must go. What will the rest
thinki'
Little care L Yet you are right. We
must ne gong; but Ella Will you not nrst
tell me that the love | offer is not refused
VIII YOU not permit me to guide the tobosSan
and
"Yes, that promise" she hastily inter
rupted Now, get it, please, and
Yet ore more promise, my darling Prom
ise to he my queen for life. my hope. my
love, nv blessing" and her hands were 50 i'm
prisoned that she with difficulty released
them.